COMMUNITY Bank Hervey Bay, a part of the Bendigo Bank, is committed to providing sustainable funding to the Fraser Coast Region.

As a Community Bank model, they must deliver 80% of their profits back to the community in which those profits were generated, many of those groups supported by volunteers.

A recent initiative they have launched is recognising the importance of volunteering and the opportunity to use this labour donation to raise funds for a nominated school.

Doing Good By Doing Good is aiming for 5000 hours of volunteer work that has the potential to deliver $100,000 to local schools.

Schools have the ability to be the beneficiary of funding through the coordination of volunteers for a community based initiative. 

This can be achieved through a couple of options related to volunteering. By arranging and providing volunteers for local charities and not for profit organisations, volunteer hours will be paid to the school at a rate of $20 per hour. As an example, if a school is able to arrange 100 volunteer hours over the course of a term, the Community Bank will provide the school with $2000 in funding toward a program, equipment or service. 

The other opportunity is by partnering with a local charity or not for profit group to raise funds for that organisation. If a school partners with organisation and raises funds for that charity, the Community Bank will match the amount to the school for their allocated program.

Tim Evans, Branch Manager for the Community Bank, says this aligns with the community projects they have identified where volunteering reflects the heart of a community. 

“Volunteering can begin from any age group and there is no better way to involve schools and possibly encourage our youth to feel that satisfaction that many of our community understand,” says Mr Evans.

“While our schools can benefit from important funds, we see this program having a much more long lasting influence with encouraging volunteerism.”

“We recognise the significant contribution not for profit organisations provide that many rely on volunteers and this program is aimed at encouraging people to be a part of a community connection.”

Examples of eligible projects or activities that can qualify for this support include repair of improvement of existing equipment that provides an improved outcome to education or health to students or additional services that benefit the learning and health outcomes for students.

Application forms can be gained from the Community Bank Hervey Bay branch.